Rear bearing ...which one to change???

[whoknows]

I have symptoms of a bearing going bad in the back of my 03. Other than lifting the back up and checking for the wheel wiggle (cuz there is no wiggle), are there other ways to know which bearing is bad.

I can hear whining but cant tell from which direction. I can feel vibration during braking but cant tell from which direction.

I know I will have to change both sides eventually, but I dont have the time to do them both now. Can you guys help me out, with a good way to find out which one is the culprit, other than flipping a coin?

Thanks

 

[Limited02]

Do you think maybe your rotors could be warped since you feel vibration during braking? Also, I would ride it out a little longer and then get both changed at once. The other issue is, are you sure it's not the rear differential that's whining?

 

[whoknows]

just changed rotors. a mechanic (who i cant find now) told me a few months ago that bearing was bad I just dont know which one. rear whine could be that popular explorer diff whine indeed.

 

[thepotroast]

just changed rotors. a mechanic (who i cant find now) told me a few months ago that bearing was bad I just dont know which one. rear whine could be that popular explorer diff whine indeed.

2 quick things here, my take on the situation:

#1. If it is indeed a bad rear bearing, replace both sides. A good rule of thumb on bearings that share the same axle are as follows: When 1 goes, the other is right behind it.

#2. If your diff is whining, and it is not a bearing issue, it's easy to identify because the diff whine goes away when you let off the accelerator, or coast in Neutral. A bad bearing doesn't care if you're on the gas, or just coasting...it will make noise either way. The diff whine can be spotted if you just let off your gas, and are still moving at a good speed (ie. 35-45MPH) and the noise goes away, and as soon as you apply throttle, it appears again. That would be diff whine.

 

[Carguy3J]

2 quick things here, my take on the situation:

#1. If it is indeed a bad rear bearing, replace both sides. A good rule of thumb on bearings that share the same axle are as follows: When 1 goes, the other is right behind it.

#2. If your diff is whining, and it is not a bearing issue, it's easy to identify because the diff whine goes away when you let off the accelerator, or coast in Neutral. A bad bearing doesn't care if you're on the gas, or just coasting...it will make noise either way. The diff whine can be spotted if you just let off your gas, and are still moving at a good speed (ie. 35-45MPH) and the noise goes away, and as soon as you apply throttle, it appears again. That would be diff whine.

I'm a little confused on whether or not you guys are talking about a rear wheel bearing/hub, or a bearing(s) in the differential. However, in both cases, but especially with a wheel bearing, a bad bearing certainly does "care" whether or not you're "on-the-gas", coasting, or braking. All of these throttle modes affect weight transfer and loading of wheel bearings, and loading of the diff bearings.

Usually, a bad wheel bearing will make noise/ more noise when it is "loaded" more. However, this can sometimes be the opposite. A diff bearing, again, may be more likely to make noise in one "state" or another (accel, coast, decel- they put different forces, in different directions, on the bearing(s))

 

[thepotroast]

I'm a little confused on whether or not you guys are talking about a rear wheel bearing/hub, or a bearing(s) in the differential. However, in both cases, but especially with a wheel bearing, a bad bearing certainly does "care" whether or not you're "on-the-gas", coasting, or braking. All of these throttle modes affect weight transfer and loading of wheel bearings, and loading of the diff bearings.

Usually, a bad wheel bearing will make noise/ more noise when it is "loaded" more. However, this can sometimes be the opposite. A diff bearing, again, may be more likely to make noise in one "state" or another (accel, coast, decel- they put different forces, in different directions, on the bearing(s))

The differential whine is associated with a faulty differential clutch pack, as well as a worn ring and pinion, which is documented with a TSB for the issue, which Ford replaced under warranty. Not the bearings in the differential.

As far as being "on-the-gas", that isn't what I referenced at all. Your example of a weight transfer shift is referring to pegging the throttle. My reference on the other hand is someone coasting at 45MPH with a whine in the rearend, letting go of the throttle...still coasting at 45MPH, and the whine disappears. Put your little toe back on the accelerator...still doing 45MPH on the 4200lb cracker box, and the sound reappears. There is no weight transfer taking place. Take it from someone that had their differential rebuilt by Ford under warranty via the TSB, and now 50k miles later, is having the same differential whine.

OP, type "whine" in the search box in the 2002-2005 Explorer category and you will find lots of information regarding this extremely common issue on 3rd gen's.

 

[whoknows]

Im gonna try the passenger side rear since when i load it, the symptoms seem more pronounced. Ill let you guys know what happens

Thank you

 

[Limited02]

Good luck! I tried the same thing when my front wheel bearing were going out and when I turned left, it got louder. So I assumed it was the front right and after changing it, sound was still the same. Changed the left and it's quiet now.

Moral of the story: Change both and be done. Hopefully you'll get the right on changed the firs time, otherwise you've practice for the other side